SAFE, LOVED & FOREVER YOURS

In January 2020, a simple compliment sparked the beginning of a love story neither Stephanie nor Emmanuel saw coming. Stephanie had complimented a story Emmanuel posted on Instagram, and he reacted with a heart emoji—short, sweet, and seemingly ordinary. Months passed until November of that same year. Out of the blue, Emmanuel slid into her DMs with a playful message about one of her favorite fitness instructors. "You were all over her posts, lol. I had to notice. When are you starting your workout?" It was light-hearted, teasing, and just enough to get the conversation flowing. They chatted about fitness routines, the pandemic’s influence on Stephanie’s workouts, and how life had gotten in the way of keeping up with them. December arrived, and two days before Christmas, they had another conversation—a quick chat, a warm exchange of good wishes—simple moments that quietly deepened the connection. It wasn’t until January 2021 that their conversations picked up steam. They began exchanging funny videos on Instagram, sparking laughter and opening the door to even more fun conversations. During one of those chats, Emmanuel asked about a ring he noticed in one of her photos. "Are you married?" he asked, curiosity laced with humor. Stephanie teased him, joking that she was. The playful banter revealed that she wasn’t married or seeing anyone. As their conversations continued, Emmanuel couldn’t ignore the connection they were building. He asked for her number, and Stephanie gave it to him. Their chats grew even better—filled with laughter, warmth, and the kind of ease that felt rare. During one of their many conversations, Emmanuel asked Stephanie out on a date. They met in person for the first time. It was one of those moments that felt like it had been waiting to happen all along. Conversations flowed effortlessly, laughter came easily, and there was an undeniable connection. He was her safe space—smart, funny, and the one who made everything feel right. She was his peace, the kind of person he had envisioned doing life with. In May 2021, he asked her to be his girlfriend. And so began a new chapter—one that started with a heart emoji and has grown into forever. Thank you for celebrating this beautiful journey with us. Love, Stephanie & Emmanuel #STayinginlove